The Fiftieth Infantry Illinois Volunteers was organized at Quincy, Illinois, in the month of August, 1861, by Colonel Moses M. Bane, and msutered into United States' service September 12, 1861, by Captain T. G. Pitcher, U.S.A.
October 9, moved to Hannibal, Missouri. 19th, to Chillicothe. November 27, to St. Joseph, reporting to Colonel R. F. Smith, commanding post. December 19, to Palmyra. 24th to St. Joseph.
January 21, 1862, ordered to Cairo, Illinois, and from thence to Smithland, Kentucky, whence the Regiment reported to Colonel Lauman, January 28.
February 6, marched into Fort Henry. 12th, formed a part of Colonel John Cook's Third Brigade, of the Second Division, and moved against Fort Donelson. Took an active part, February 13, 14 and 15, at Fort Donelson. 22d, occupied Clarksville, Tenn. 28th, arrived at Nashville. Remained on board the boat and returned to Clarksville, March 1.
March 25th, ordered to Pittsburg Landing, and landed at that place, 31st.Engaged in the battle of Shiloh, April 6 and 7. Engaged in the siege of Corinth, May 1862. June 4, under Major General John Pope, pursued the enemy as far as Booneville, Mississippi. Returned to Camp near Corinth, June 10. October 3, moved out against the enemy, who was approaching under Price, Van Dorn and Villipique. 5th, engaged in the battle of Corinth. Pursued the enemy as far as Ruckersville, Mississippi. October 12, returned to Corinth.
December 18, went on scout to Lexington, Tennessee. April 15, 1863, moved toward Tuscumbia, Alabama. Had a skirmish at Bear Creek, 17th; also at Cherokee, and at Newsome's Farm. 24th, camped at Tuscumbia. 27th, moved toward Town Creek, and fought the enemy under General Forrest, at Town Creek, on the 28th. On the 29th, (General Streight having got well on the road for Georgia) the Regiment returned to Tuscumbia, and, on the 3d of May, arrived at Corinth.
October 11, General Dodge, commanding Left Wing, Sixteenth Army Corps, ordered the Brigade, Colonel Bane commanding, to Lagrange, Tennessee. 17th, returned to Corinth. November 6, moved to Eastport, and crossed the Tennessee River at midnight. Passed through Waterloo on the 7th, Lauderdale and Lexington on the 10th, Pulaski on the 12th, and camped at Lynnville.
November 17, Regiment was mounted, by order of Major General Dodge.
January 1, 1864, three-fourths of the men of the Regiment re-enlisted, and were mustered January 16, and started for Illinois, for the veteran furlough.
February 28, moved from Quincy, and March 5, arrived at Lynnville. 13th ordered to Athens, Alabama. 15th, moved to Decatur Junction. 22d, crossed the Tennessee River to Decatur. 27th, re-crossed to Decatur Junction. 31st, moved to Moorsville.
April 12, moved to Athens, Alabama. 30th, moved to Chattanooga, via Larkinsville. May 5, marched to Chickamauga Creek and camped near Lee and Gordon's Mills.8th, camped in Snake Creek Gap. 9th, moved to Resaca and returned. 13th, moved to Resaca. 14th, to Calhoun Ferry. 15th, to Lay's Ferry, and crossed Oostanaula River. 17th, met the enemy at a cross-road, near the river, and, after some fighting, drove him from the field--the Regiment losing 1 man killed and 7 wounded. 19th, arrived at Kingston. 22nd, at Rome.
June 20, Colonel Bane having resigned, Brigadier William Vandever took command of the Brigade. July 3, one hundred and fifty men from the Brigade and one hundred of First Alabama Cavalry, made an expedition to Cedar Town, Major Hanna, of the Fiftieth, commanding, and returned, and on the 6th, to Cave Springs, and returned, both times capturing prisoners and horses.
In August, Colonel Rowett, of the Seventh Illinois Infantry, took command of the Brigade.
September 27, the Second Division, Left Wing, Sixteenth Army Corps, Brigadier General John M. Corse commanding, was transferred to Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps. 29th, the non-veterans of the Regiment were started home, for muster-out.
October 4, took cars for Allatoona, at 8 o'clock P.M.; arrived at midnight. At daylight skirmishing commenced, and by 10 o'clock the whole force was fiercely engaged with Hood's Army. The enemy was repulsed. The Regiment lost 87 killed, wounded and missing. Lieutenant Colonel Hana, and Assistant Suurgeon A. G. Pickett were wounded.
October 13, Lieutenant Colonel Hurlbut commanding Brigade, and Captain Horn commanding Regiment, it moved out on Cave Spring road, and met the enemy six miles out, with two pieces of artillery. It drove them four miles, and returned to Rome.
November 10, 1864, moved toward Atlanta. 15th, left Atlanta. 20th, crossed the Ocmulgee. 26th, crossed Oconee, at Ball's Ferry. December 7th, crossed the Ogeechee at Mt. Vernon Road. 10th, met the enemy at Little Ogeechee. 16th, went foraging to McIntosh, 30 miles from Savannah.
January 27, moved up Savannah River, crossing at Sister's Ferry, February 4. 12th, crossed North Ediston. 14th, camped near Congaree Creek. 16th, crossed Saluda River. 17th, crossed Congaree River, and entered Columbia. 22d, crossed Wateree. 26th, crossed Lynch's Creek. March 5 and 6, did provost duty in Cheraw. 12th, arrived at Fayetteville. 18th, built barricades at Newton's Grove. 20th and 21st, fought the enemy at Bentonville, losing 2 killed and 14 wounded. 24th, marched through Goldsboro.
April 10, Colonel Hanna commanding Brigade moved to Raleigh. 14th, reviewed by General Sherman, as it marched through Raleigh. 16th, moved to Morrisville, and, on surrender of Johnson, returned to Raleigh. April 29, 1865, moved northward, via Petersburg, Manchester and Richmond, and camped at Alexandria, 20th May. May 24, participated in the grand review at Washington, and camped near Soldier's Home.
June 3, moved via Packersburg, Virginia, to Louisville, Kentucky, arriving on the 8th. July 3, in the prize drill between Sixty-third Illinois, Seventh Iowa Infantry and Fiftieth Illinois, the Regiment won the prize banner.
July 13th, mustered out of United States' service by Captain W. B. Guthrie, Eighty-first Ohio Volunteers and A. C. M. Arrived at Camp Butler, Illinois, July 14, 1865, for final payment and discharge.